Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2025

Systemic Delivery of MicroRNA Using Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Serotype 9 to Treat Neuromuscular Diseases in Rodents
06:51

Systemic Delivery of MicroRNA Using Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Serotype 9 to Treat Neuromuscular Diseases in Rodents

Published on: August 10, 2018

7.7K

MicroRNA-138: an emerging regulator of skeletal development, homeostasis, and disease

Victor Gustavo Balera Brito1, Austin Bell-Hensley2, Audrey McAlinden1,3,4

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.

American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology
|October 16, 2023
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-138 (miR-138) regulates bone and cartilage cells, potentially inhibiting osteoblast differentiation and ectopic calcification. Its role in cartilage remains unclear, but it may also reduce inflammation and pain, offering therapeutic possibilities.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Skeletal Biology

Background:

  • Noncoding microRNAs (miRNAs) are key epigenetic regulators targeting messenger RNAs (mRNAs).
  • MicroRNAs are crucial for skeletal system development and homeostasis.
  • MicroRNA-138 (miR-138) has diverse roles, including tumor suppression and regulation of cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of microRNA-138 (miR-138) in bone and cartilage cell differentiation and function.
  • To examine miR-138's impact on osteoblast differentiation, ectopic calcification, and bone mass.
  • To synthesize current understanding of miR-138 in chondrogenesis and chondrocyte catabolism, highlighting research gaps.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating microRNA-138.
  • Analysis of research on miR-138's effects on osteoblast and chondrocyte biology.
  • Examination of in vivo studies altering miR-138 expression.

Main Results:

  • miR-138 appears to inhibit osteoblast differentiation and may dampen ectopic calcification and alter bone mass.
  • Findings regarding miR-138's role in chondrogenesis and chondrocyte catabolism are contradictory and inconclusive.
  • Studies suggest miR-138 can dampen inflammation and pain responses in other systems.

Conclusions:

  • miR-138 plays a complex role in skeletal biology, inhibiting osteoblast differentiation but with unclear effects on cartilage.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate miR-138's function in cartilage biology and disease.
  • miR-138's potential multifunctional role in suppressing ectopic bone, inflammation, and pain warrants investigation for skeletal conditions like osteoarthritis.
Keywords:
bonecartilagemiR-138microRNAosteogenesis

More Related Videos

In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge09:53

In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge

Published on: June 15, 2018

7.4K
CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis10:40

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis

Published on: April 25, 2022

2.4K

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.0K
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
6.9K
Translational Regulation01:29

Translational Regulation

Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...
28
Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts01:13

Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts

De novo myogenesis, or the formation of muscle fibers, begins during the early embryonic stages. The skeletal muscle is formed from somites– blocks of embryonic cell layers. The somites are further divided into dermatomes, myotomes, sclerotomes, and syndetomes. Among these, the myotomes give rise to muscle fibers.
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription...
4.9K
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
936
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K